Photo: Joan Ogre/ /Unsplash
With all the snow that the western United States has received this winter, We are looking forward to a very, very long spring ski season this year. Maybe even a spring ski season and a summer ski season. And while the snow is still falling (will it ever stop this year?), the days are getting longer, temperatures are starting to rise, and in just a few days (March 21) it will officially be spring. Time to jazz up those 80s outfits and work on your goggle tan. Below we’ve outlined a few key products that will boost your steeze, get you the talk of the town (or at least the friend group), and show you know how to have a good time on the slopes.
The best après ski gear of 2023
The R1 from Roll Recovery packs a punch. Compact and super durable, this little guy not only easily slips into your car for instant pain relief when you’re not on the slopes, but it doesn’t take up too much space in your carry-on, making it a great travel companion makes easy choice for target ski tours. Battery life is more than double that of options like the Hyperice Hypervolt at 7 hours, and with four powerful speeds and an aluminum body that can take a beating or two, it’s hard to believe it costs just over $100 .
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If you’re planning on skiing without a jacket this spring, it might be worth switching to a pair of dungarees instead of the ski pants you’ve been wearing for the last four seasons. A full coverage pair of bibs like the Trewth Bib from Trew Gear will keep the spring mud off your layers while looking damn good with a loose-fitting style and a wide range of colors. With a plethora of pockets to load with snacks and odds and ends, you don’t need a jacket or backpack. It’s perfect for high-performance jump-ski antics. Not thrilled with the Trewth bib? Check out our other top bib picks this season in our guide to the best ski bibs.
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The only thing better than getting off the slopes to a waiting massage gun is getting your feet out of your ski boots after a long day and into the fluffy comfort of the Line Aprés Booties 2.0. I’ve had my feet in them all winter and while I won’t say they speed up my recovery or anything, there’s no better feeling than these guys’ fluffy interiors and soggy footbeds. Michelin-branded rubber keeps you firmly connected to the ground whether you’re hitting ice or tarmac, and I stopped counting the number of compliments I’ve received when I saw the pink and blue colorway in Tahoe this season and Jackson Hole wore. They’re guaranteed to spice up your après style, no matter how you define it.
If you don’t like the higher “boot” design of the 2.0s, check out the half-cabin version of the Line Aprés Booties.
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I’ve worn many different base layers during my time as a skier and I have a soft spot for merino wool. So I was skeptical when Blackstrap asked if I’d like to try their Summit synthetic baselayers, but after hearing some positive feedback from others in the industry I thought I’d give them a shot. Now at the end of this season it is by far my favorite base layer with excellent body temperature regulation in both warm and cold temperatures. The hood is comfortable and a great addition, especially for wearing under a helmet on colder, stormy ski days, and I like how the hood sits snugly under your chin to minimize drafts.
The looser fit isn’t what I expected from a base layer, but the garment does a great job of regulating my body temperature, so no complaints. The long arms and thumb holes are my favorite features. As a person with longer arms, I sometimes find thumbholes useless, but the length of the Summit top’s sleeves and the comfortable, reinforced thumbholes kept snow out of my layers all winter.
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Want to keep up with the crowd? This is the buff everyone wore this season. Chairlift, lift line, food court line, look left, look right and you’re sure to be surrounded by the Blackstrap Balaclava. Why? Because it fucking rocks. Extremely comfortable and easy to adjust, the medium-thin three-panel balaclava works in both the sun and snow, and comes in a variety of fun colors and prints to match any color of your spring ski outfit.
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Do you want to be the talk of the town, or at least the circle of friends? Use one of these bad guys to (safely) start a fire in the resort parking lot to enjoy a tailgate April. Better yet, take advantage of Solo Stove’s cast-iron grilling system designed for the Ranger and cook up a meal for everyone. Solo Stove’s campfire pits and wood-fired camping stoves have been making waves lately for their user-friendly, hot-burning designs that minimize smoke. The smallest of its “fire pit” line, the Ranger is best suited for car camping and parking lot aprés, but those wanting to turn up the heat will be delighted by the size of the Bonfire and Yukon fire pits.
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If you’re looking for a ski that absolutely charges, look no further than the Line Blade Optic. This all-mountain style from Line Skis has a Titanal plate that runs almost the entire length of the ski to dampen power and stability. chatter ended!
The 114’s are a great width for days in deep snow, especially days that end with chopped snow to blast through. This ski not only shines, it dazzles. The 104 packs the same load into a thinner all-mountain ski that’s just as suited to hard, fast snow as it is to softer stuff. Stay tuned for a full recap once the season is over.
Check the price for the 104. Check the price for the 114
Pit Viper sunglasses have achieved legendary status for their sassy ’80s style, and one of their newest styles, the Flip Offs, continues that legacy of sassy. Any pair of Pit Vipers is guaranteed to boost your Steeze, but these ones give you an excuse to take down whoever you want. Flip the sunglasses up (or down), twist them off. Rinse, wash, repeat, just don’t cry to me if you “accidentally” start a bar fight.
For more great après style sunglasses, check out our guide to the best sunglasses for skiing.
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Editor’s note: For more gear reviews and features, visit the sloth, Click here.
